Flow in Sump

[Sdoutreefer]

Hello - just curious if it is of any benefit to add flow to your sump? Not just flow from the return pump and skimmer, but an additional small powerhead.

I don’t have the room for a full on refugium, but I do have some rock for pods and what not to live.

Do I leave the flow as is? There is practically no detritus build-up but curious if some higher flow in a sump is beneficial.

 

[reefer_214]

I have an additional powerhead in my sump to help blow detritus into the protein skimmer.

 

[ScottJ]

I have a power head running in mine. Don't know if it makes any difference or not, actually. Just seemed like a good idea.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I have an additional powerhead in my sump to help blow detritus into the protein skimmer.

Thanks for the reply. Makes sense! Does it actually help?

Anybody else?

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I have a power head running in mine. Don't know if it makes any difference or not, actually. Just seemed like a good idea.

That’s kind of why I wanted to ask the question. It makes complete sense in my mind but at the same time it could affect water velocities and overall flow if it isn’t meant to be…. Maybe?

 

[reefer_214]

Thanks for the reply. Makes sense! Does it actually help?

Anybody else?

Yeah, for me it does.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I was thinking this today actually. I think it’s a great idea if you aren’t running a refugium. I cleaned my protein skimmer and in doing so realized how much build up of detritus there is in the sump. Been having some minor cyano issues.

Think i’ll give it a try and see if it helps.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I was thinking this today actually. I think it’s a great idea if you aren’t running a refugium. I cleaned my protein skimmer and in doing so realized how much build up of detritus there is in the sump. Been having some minor cyano issues.

Think i’ll give it a try and see if it helps.

I’m thinking I will too. I try and turkey baste my sump weekly when I do a water change. But there’s always gonna be some somewhere

 

[PharmrJohn]

I never did in my 20gL sump. And I should have. With my next build, I'm putting a small powerhead in there. It's just a good idea.

 

[dangles]

I have a small cheap Amazon powerhead in the compartment my kalk drips into. I also have 2 in my refugium to keep the gracillaria circulating. It helps IMMENSELY with detritus.

It probably also helps with aeration (through surface agitation) but I have no way to quantify that.

 

[mboley]

I have a powerhead there to quickly mix everything I dose. Drip hoses right above pump flow, same chamber as return pump.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I have a small cheap Amazon powerhead in the compartment my kalk drips into. I also have 2 in my refugium to keep the gracillaria circulating. It helps IMMENSELY with detritus.

It probably also helps with aeration (through surface agitation) but I have no way to quantify that.

I guess it would, wouldn't it.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

would 450gph be overkill in a 15g sump?

 

[Bartanto]

I have a Nero 3 in a 40 gal sump on random <20%. Works great.